Angelus League : Servite Gets Even With Mater Dei in a Hurry

What did Servite High School’s baseball team find just two days after its worst loss of the season?

Sweet, sweet revenge, as Servite defeated Mater Dei, 13-5, Friday to gain a share of the Angelus League baseball championship with Mater Dei.

On Wednesday, Mater Dei, ranked No. 1 in the Orange County Sportswriters’ Assn. poll, had routed Servite, the county’s fourth-ranked team, 10-0.

But Friday, Servite had 14 hits, including 9 in the first four innings that boosted the Friars to an 8-2 lead.

“I’d say it was an exact turnaround from Wednesday’s game,” Servite Coach Mike McNary said. “But then I don’t think our showing Wednesday was indicative of this team.”

Servite made that clear in the first inning Friday: Jim Berry led off with a single, Greg Coleman followed with another and Mike Robertson gave the Friars a 3-0 lead with a home run over the left-field fence.

It was not to be a good day for Monarch starter Peter Keup (2-1). Keup gave up 5 hits and 3 runs before being replaced at the start of the fourth inning by Bill Brockschmidt.

Brockschmidt didn’t have it any easier. He walked two batters, then gave up a two-run double to Coleman and an RBI double to Robertson. After another walk, he was relieved by Brian Frankel. Brian Criss singled in Robertson, and Craig Barkley singled in another run to make it 8-2.

Servite junior Chad Troxel (6-0) kept Mater Dei from responding. Troxel, who had faced the Monarchs only once before--Wednesday for two innings--said he felt confident going into the game.

It showed. Troxel allowed 7 hits--only 4 through the sixth inning--struck out 5 and walked just 3.

Down by 13-2 in the seventh inning, Mater Dei began a rally that was a little too late.

Shortstop Brian Keegan, the bright spot for Mater Dei, led off the inning with a triple. Robbie Ickes drove in Keegan with a double, and Mike Basse hit a blooper into right field for a two-run double to end the scoring.

Keegan was 3 for 3 with a solo home run in the second inning.

Coleman (3 for 4 with a double and 3 runs scored) and Robertson (2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs) led Servite.